Contractor License Requirements in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania requires contractor licensing for construction work. The licensing process is overseen by the Pennsylvania Attorney General - Home Improvement Contractor Registration. Pennsylvania requires home improvement contractor registration through the Attorney General's office. No exam is required for registration. General liability insurance of at least $50,000 is required. Commercial contractors are not required to register at the state level. Philadelphia has separate, more stringent requirements.

Important

Never hire a contractor who cannot provide a valid license number. A legitimate contractor will have no hesitation sharing their license credentials for you to verify independently. If a contractor refuses, discourages you from checking, or makes excuses, treat that as a serious red flag.

Pennsylvania Attorney General - Home Improvement Contractor Registration

Search by: Registration number, Business name, Owner name, County

Follow these steps to verify a contractor's license in Pennsylvania:

1. 1
   Visit the PA Attorney General's contractor searchGo to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's home improvement contractor registration search page. All home improvement contractors in Pennsylvania must be registered with the AG's office.
2. 2
   Search by registration number or business nameEnter the contractor's registration number (most reliable) or their business name. You can also search by owner name or county to browse registered contractors in your area.
3. 3
   Verify the registration is currentConfirm the registration status is active and has not expired or been revoked. The registration must be renewed periodically. An expired registration means the contractor is not currently authorized to perform home improvement work.
4. 4
   Check for Philadelphia-specific requirementsPhiladelphia has its own contractor licensing system that is separate from and more stringent than the state registration. If your project is in Philadelphia, verify the contractor holds a valid Philadelphia contractor license in addition to state registration.
5. 5
   Confirm insurance coveragePennsylvania requires registered contractors to carry at least $50,000 in general liability insurance. Ask the contractor for their certificate of insurance and verify the coverage amounts and expiration date. Workers' compensation is also required if the contractor has employees.

What to Look for in Verification Results

• Registration status must be active and current
• Verify the contractor's insurance is on file with the Attorney General's office
• Check for any consumer complaints filed with the AG's office
• Confirm the contractor provides a written contract for jobs over $500 as required by law
• For Philadelphia projects, verify separate city licensing
• The registration number should appear on all contracts and advertising

Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Pennsylvania carries significant risks for both the homeowner and the contractor:

• No consumer protections: State recovery funds and guaranty programs typically only cover work performed by licensed contractors.
• Insurance issues: Your homeowner's insurance may deny claims related to work done by an unlicensed contractor.
• Permit problems: Building permits often require a valid contractor license. Work done without permits can create issues when selling your property.
• Quality concerns: Licensed contractors have demonstrated minimum competency through exams, experience requirements, or both.
• Legal liability: Homeowners may bear greater legal responsibility for injuries or property damage caused during unlicensed work.
• Penalties: In Pennsylvania, unlicensed contracting can result in fines and criminal penalties for the contractor, and the homeowner may lose the ability to enforce the contract.

Pennsylvania does not currently have reciprocal contractor licensing agreements with other states. Contractors licensed in other states must apply for a new Pennsylvania license through the standard application process. Some states may credit out-of-state experience toward licensing requirements -- contact the Pennsylvania Attorney General - Home Improvement Contractor Registration for details.